Device and method for disinfecting a milking component

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device and a method for disinfecting a milking component, said device comprising a container for storing a disinfectant base material, and a processing unit. Said processing unit can be used to produce a disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide, from the disinfectant base material by means of a chemical reaction. A guiding element is used to bring the disinfectant into contact with the milking component, essentially directly after being produced, in order to disinfect the milking component.

The present invention is concerned with the field of milking of animals,especially of cows. Specifically the present invention is concerned witha device for the disinfection of milking components or of components inmilking technology and with a method for disinfecting components inmilking technology, for example, for the disinfection of a teat cup, ateat cleaning equipment, milk line, or a milking installation.

Although the invention will be described below with reference to the useof milking installations for the milking of cows, it should be pointedout that the invention can also be used for the milking of otheranimals, which provide milk. Especially, the invention is suitable foruse in milking installations for cows, sheep, goats, horses, asses,camels, llamas and dromedaries, elk, reindeer and buffalo and othermammals.

Disinfection is defined here as the disinfection of the entire milkinginstallation or individual components in milking technology, with thepurpose of reducing the germ and pathogen concentration. This alsoincludes especially the disinfection of individual or all othermilking-technological components in order to kill germs, bacteria orsimilar or to reduce their number.

In the case of highly contaminated components, it may occur that asufficient cleaning effect is not achieved by using just a disinfectant.The reason for this could be that the dirt adheres to one or severalsurfaces and cannot be removed by disinfection alone. Then, before ortogether with disinfection, cleaning as well makes sense and isoptionally necessary. This can be done, for example, mechanically orchemically.

For example, an additional cleaning makes sense when, for example, largepieces of excrement adhere to an udder-cleaning brush, since then bydisinfection alone under certain circumstances freedom from germs cannotbe achieved. In such a case cleaning of the udder-cleaning brush makessense. In addition or at the same time by disinfection, the germ load onthe udder-cleaning brush can be reduced significantly. The disinfectionitself can take place using an appropriate concentration of disinfectantand with other parameters proper for practical application (time,temperature, etc.). For these reasons, in the sense of this invention,cleaning and disinfection will be distinguished, although both steps mayoccur in a combined step.

Namely, in the state of the art, frequently a combined cleaning anddisinfection method is used in which, for example, the milk-conductingparts of a milking installation are cleaned and disinfected. Thedisinfection can occur at the same time with the cleaning process. Thecleaning action is performed, for example, by a batch method, in whichindividual plugs of fluid are sent through the installation in a batchmethod. This also applies to a mechanical cleaning action. Bysimultaneous or successive use of cleaners (for example, in the form ofsolvents) and of disinfectants, cleaning and disinfection of the milkinginstallation can be accomplished. The disinfectant action can also takeplace at high temperatures (cleaning with boiling water).

So far mostly products based on peracetic acid have been used aschemical disinfectants for milking installations. Such a method isdescribed, for example, in DE 195 41 646 A1. Another cleaning method isdisclosed in WO 00/067561 A1. Another possibility is disinfection withUV radiation, but this is complex and expensive. Therefore, in the stateof the art frequently disinfectants based on peracetic acid are used.The disadvantage of this is that some of the operating personnel exhibitcompatibility problems upon frequent (skin) contact.

Therefore, the task of the invention is to make available a device and amethod for the cleaning of milk-technological components, which providesbetter properties.

The device according to the invention is the object of Claim 1 and themethod according to the invention is the object of Claim 25. Preferredfurther developments are the objects of the subclaims.

According to the invention, the device for the disinfection of amilk-technological component has at least one container for storing atleast one disinfectant base material. At least one processing device isprovided with which at least one disinfectant material can be preparedfrom disinfectant base material by chemical reaction, the disinfectantpreferably containing chlorine dioxide. Furthermore, a guiding elementis provided with which, essentially directly after preparation, thedisinfectant can be brought into contact with at least onemilk-technological component, in order to disinfect themilk-technological component.

A device according to the invention for the milking of an animalincludes at least one milking device, at least one milk line, at leastone vacuum line, at least one container for a disinfectant base materialand at least one processing device. The processing device is provided inorder to produce a disinfectant from at least one disinfectant basematerial by chemical reaction, the disinfectant preferably containingchlorine dioxide. The disinfectant is suitable for disinfecting thedevice. Preferably, the device according to the invention has at leastone milk cup or teat cup.

The method according to the invention includes the step of preparationof the disinfectant from at least one disinfectant base material,whereby the disinfectant preferably contains chlorine dioxide. Then atleast one milking component, that is, a component in milk technology, isdisinfected with the prepared disinfectant.

The device according to the invention and the method according to theinvention have many advantages.

The use of chlorine dioxide in aqueous solution for disinfection hasmany advantages. Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) has been used successfully forswimming pool disinfection. However, since the finished solvent isunstable, it cannot be transported but it must be prepared on location.In comparison to chlorine, chlorine dioxide has the advantage of asignificantly higher oxidizing power (about 2.5 times). In addition,chlorine dioxide does not have some of the disadvantages related to theuse of chlorine, for example, the problem of haloforms.

Another advantage when using chlorine dioxide is that the odor isreduced in comparison to using peracetic acid. In addition, the biofilmis removed reliably.

Since chlorine dioxide is not an organic substance, the potential forallergies has been reduced considerably. This is a considerableadvantage in comparison to the usually-employed peracetic acid.

Similarly, chlorine dioxide does not form any toxic substances, such astrihalomethanes, chlorophenols and chloramines.

A quite significant advantage of using chlorine dioxide is that it isapproved for the preparation and for the disinfection of drinking water.

In addition, it is suitable for the destruction of spores, viruses,bacteria and other pathogens, as well as of phenols and THM precursors.It increases the coagulability and removes iron and magnesium compoundsmore reliably. Since chlorine dioxide is prepared by chemical reactionfrom basic components, only small amounts of basic components have to betransported, which reduces transportation and storage costs. Althoughthe installation requires high technological and financial expenditure,it is possible to reduce the operating costs. This is an importantadvantage. Furthermore, the time of the reaction can be reduced.

The conventionally employed peracetic acid requires safe handling andresults in higher operating costs, because it is a hazardous substanceduring transportation. Since chlorine dioxide is produced locally, thetransportation costs are significantly lower since, as a rule, only thedisinfectant base material needs to be transported. In addition,peracetic acid is an organic substance and thus has an allergy potentialfor humans and animals. Furthermore, biofilm, fats, mucus and depositsare not degraded, in contrast to chlorine dioxide.

When chlorine is used as disinfectant as such, in case of improperhandling there is a danger of caustic reaction, and there are otherdangers, such as gas evolution or a caustic reaction on the skin andeyes. Thus, there are significant advantages of chlorine dioxide in thisrespect too.

Disinfection with chlorine dioxide also has advantages in comparison todisinfection with boiling water, since in that case significant amountsof energy have to be used for heating. Since this is done mostlyelectrically and the performance of available electrical connections isrelatively low in remote farms, a great deal of time is required for theheating. On the other hand, chlorine dioxide is available fordisinfection without almost any time delay. The planning of the dailyschedule can thus become more flexible.

In order to control the progress of preparation, preferably a controldevice is provided which combines the corresponding parts of water anddisinfectant base material so that the disinfectant base material canreact and produce the disinfectant.

The chlorine dioxide solution can be prepared, for example, as describedin German Patent Application DE 195 18 464 A1. However, there are otherdevices and methods known in the state of the art for the preparation ofa chlorine dioxide solution.

The term “essentially directly after preparation” is understood in thesense of this application to mean a production of the disinfectant whichis oriented to need. It does not have to be consumed immediately, but anintermediate container or intermediate storage can be provided forfinished or enriched disinfectant. The size of the storage can bevariable. The size of the container can be adapted to the need fordisinfectant over a period of one hour or also for a period of one dayor even for a longer period.

In a preferred further development, the milking component touches theanimal or is a component which touches the udder or the teat or a partthereof and thus comes into contact with it. It is also possible thatthe milking component will come into contact with the milked milk.

Preferably, the milking component to be disinfected is chosen from agroup of components which includes teat rubber, teat cup, udder- andteat-cleaning equipment and teat-cleaning cloths, pre- and post-dippingdevices or similar others. Dipping cups, premilking cups and any robotarms present can be disinfected.

The disinfection of teat rubber and teat cups is important especially inthe case of sick animals, since the teat of the next animal comes intocontact with this component and thus there is a great danger ofcontagion. When using chlorine dioxide there is the advantage of thesignificantly lower allergy potential.

According to the invention, a disinfectant with chlorine dioxide can beused for the disinfection of the teat-cleaning equipment. The use of adisinfectant with chlorine dioxide is also preferred when cleaning theteats with the teat-cleaning equipment.

Preferably a disinfectant container is provided in which at least onemilking component can be immersed in order to make disinfectionessentially on all sides possible. Thus, for example, a teat cup can besubjected to disinfection by rinsing the entire head. Similarly,equipment for milk quality determination can be disinfected.

The disinfectant can also be used for the preparation of the water used.Disinfection can be performed, for example, after a certain number ofanimals or after the milking of the herd or at predetermined intervals.

The milking component to be disinfected can be a component with whichthe milk of a milked animal comes into contact. Preferably the milkingcomponent includes a group of components which comprise teat rubber,teat cup, milk collecting parts, milk lines, collecting parts, milktubings and also long milk tubings, milk flow meters, sensors for thedetermination of the milk quality and flock and blood detectors,conductivity and temperature sensors, milk lines, the end unit of themilk pump, the receiving container, the safety separator, the pressureline and the milk tank, also including plate cooler and valvetechnology, receiving containers and milk pumps and similar others.Disinfection of any individual or all of these components is preferred.

The disinfectant can be circulated in a closed circuit and can beadjusted preferably during the next cycle in order to adjust theconcentration again.

The milking component to be disinfected can also be a component withwhich an animal comes into contact, whereby these components belong tothe group of components that includes animal watering troughs as well aswater lines to the animal water troughs, feed troughs and calf drinkingtroughs and calf nipples, areas where the animals are lying, milkingstations, the floor of the milking station, the area of lying down inthe stall region, the resting boxes, milk pails, calving pens,continuous claw baths, hand brushes, boots, rubber gloves and workclothes as well as a milking robot.

Disinfection of individual parts or of all these parts and components ispreferred. For the disinfection of work clothes and similar, a washingmachine can be operated with disinfectant solution.

The device according to the invention and the method according to theinvention can be used in conventional milking technology and also inautomatic and semi-automatic milking systems.

Preferably, the device is suitable for milking an animal and includes atleast one milk line, at least one vacuum line, and at least one milkingmachine. Both the milking installation as a whole as well as the milkingmachine are subjected to disinfection at predetermined or regular orsensor-determined intervals using, for example, a combined cleaning anddisinfection process, in order to clean the component from foreignsubstances and in order to prevent spreading of pathogens. Rinsing orpartial disinfection of individual parts, for example, the milkingmachine, can be performed, for example, after each milking process,while the entire milking installation is cleaned and disinfected as arule at certain time intervals.

The disinfectant can be sprayed into the ambient air. The number ofgerms can be reduced by spraying the disinfectant into the ambient air.

In a preferred further development, a control device is provided withwhich the disinfection process can be controlled.

With the control device, the intensity of the disinfection can becontrolled at least as a function of one parameter, where usually theparameter is chosen from a group of parameters which include the time ofaction of the disinfectant, temperature of the disinfectant,concentration of the disinfectant and composition of the disinfectant.

In a further preferred development of the invention the (finished,prepared) disinfectant contains disinfectants other than chlorinedioxide. The amount of chlorine dioxide in the total disinfectant or theconcentration of chlorine dioxide can be varied and adjusted to thespecific situation in order to be able to react flexibly to theparticular requirements.

Even when chlorine dioxide is used alone as disinfectant, an increasedor higher concentration of the disinfecting agent in the disinfectantsolution can be selected or predetermined, for example, at specific timeintervals or after a predetermined or selectable number of milkingprocesses. Even then the concentration of chlorine dioxide can be variedand adjusted to the specific situation in order to be able to reactflexibly to the particular requirements.

Preferably the control device emits a disinfectant signal when apredetermined limiting value is reached, in which case, thepredetermined value, for example, limiting value is reached, when thenumber of milkings and/or the number of teat cleanings were performedand/or a predetermined time has passed.

The control device can emit a disinfectant signal when an animal, inwhich the probability of disease exceeds a predetermined degree, wasmilked or handled. The probability can be determined with a sensor orcan be determined from available data.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, a disinfectingprocess is performed when the control device emits a disinfectionsignal.

The base materials for the disinfecting agent are, for example, sodiumchlorite, sodium chlorate, caroate, or an alkali chloride and an alkali-or alkaline-earth chloride, where caroate is a triple salt consisting ofmetal peroxomonosulfate, metal hydrogen sulfate and metal sulfate. Atleast one disinfectant base material preferably contains at least sodiumchlorite or sodium chlorate.

The disinfectant base material is preferably a dry material which canalso be in the form of a powder.

Also, at least one first disinfectant base material and at least onesecond disinfectant base material can be provided for the preparation ofthe disinfectant. Preferably, two, three, four, five or moredisinfectant base materials can also be used for the preparation of thedisinfectant. The disinfectant base materials react to form thedisinfectant only when they are combined so that, for example, if theyare stored separately, the storage stability is almost unlimited.

Preferably at least one disinfectant base material and especiallypreferably at least one first and a second disinfectant base materialeach are prepared, essentially as dry material.

Individual disinfectant base materials or all of them can be in thepowder form.

The individual materials can be combined or dissolved in aqueoussolution.

Before the preparation to make the disinfectant, the disinfectant basematerials are stored at least partially separated from one another sothat a first disinfectant base material is not in direct contact with asecond disinfectant base material.

Preferably at least one disinfectant base material is in the tabletform. It is also possible that the first disinfectant base material andat least the second disinfectant base material be in the tablet form andpreferably essentially uniformly distributed in it.

The first disinfectant base material and the second disinfectant basematerial can produce the disinfectant by chemical reaction.

However, it is also possible to have the individual disinfectant basematerials be first in the powder form during manufacture, which are thenpressed together into the tablet form. For example, the differentdisinfectant base materials can be kept in the tablet by a binder, whichholds the different materials together and at the same time separatesthem reliably.

Similarly, the individual disinfectant base materials can also besurrounded by a separate protective shell, for example, a thin gelatinlayer or similar. Such protective shells can provide reliable separationof the individual disinfectant base materials. By choosing the materialof the protective shell suitably, it will dissolve quickly upon contactwith water, so that the different components can react with each otherright away in order to make the disinfectant available effectivelywithin a short period of time.

It is also preferred that a first disinfectant base material and atleast a second disinfectant base material be present together in onetablet, but then the distribution in this tablet is preferablyessentially uniform.

The tablet form provides the advantage that, for a given amount ofdisinfectant, a corresponding amount of water or solvent and 1 tablet ora predetermined number of tablets is needed. The dosage per piece canthen be handled easily so that the preparation of the desired amount ofdisinfectant is reliable and simple. On the other hand, dosage in thepowder form has the advantage of greater flexibility, because a higherconcentration of the disinfectant can be prepared by the addition ofcorrespondingly larger amount of disinfectant base materials. Also theadjustment to the desired amount of disinfectant is simple in the caseof the powder form.

In the method according to the invention, the performance of the processused follows from the previous description. Preferably at least oneexposure time and/or one temperature and/or one concentration iscontrolled. After the ending of the disinfection process, preferably theexcess disinfectant is discharged.

However, the invention is especially suitable not only for the use fordisinfection, for example, of cleaning brushes used for the cleaning ofudders. In automatic milking systems an animal can be milked fullyautomatically. For this purpose, the udder is cleaned before the milkingprocess. A rotating brush is used, for example, for the cleaning systemwhich is passed under the udder of the animal to be milked. After thecleaning of the udder is completed, the animal can be milked.

In a cleaning device known in the state of the art for the treatment ofthe udder, a cylindrical brush, held rotatably at the free end of amovable carrier, is brought from an initial position into a workingposition in which the brush is in working position with respect to theudder. When the carrier is moved out completely and the brush is in theend position, the brush is driven to rotate in order to clean the teatsand the udder together. After the completion of the cleaning process,the carrier with the brush is moved back into the initial position.

In order to prevent transfer of bacteria and pathogens from one animalto the next, the brush is disinfected after each cleaning process. Forthis purpose, the brush can be moved under a hood where the brush isrinsed and disinfected. It is also possible that in the initial positionthat brush is located under a hood or similar which retains the watersprayed and similar during the disinfection and cleaning of the brush.

The brush can be rotatable around a hollow central axle. Then water,cleaning agent and disinfectant can be introduced to the brush throughthe central axle. For this purpose, to achieve better distribution ofthe agent, holes are distributed statistically preferably over a largepart of the surface of the outer wall of the central rotary axle.Through these holes the disinfectant can leave the central axle and wetthe individual bristles or brush hairs in order to clean and disinfectthese. Here the disinfectant can be sprayed.

In an embodiment it is provided that rinsing agent and disinfectant canbe sprayed on the cleaning brush from the protective device arrangedabove the brush as well as passing rinsing and disinfectant into thecentral axle of the brush which then exits through the holes and wetsthe brush. With the central introduction of the disinfectant anespecially effective disinfection can be achieved since the individualbristles or brush hairs are wetted from the middle. This ensuresreliable wetting of the entire surface of the bristles, especially sincethe brush can be put into rotation during the introduction of thedisinfectant in order to compensate for the influence of gravity.Rotation can make sense even during the subsequent rinsing of thecleaning brush in order to remove the disinfectant reliably.

It is also possible to provide a number of spray nozzles or similar onthe covering device in order to spray the cleaning brush in the initialposition or in the disinfecting position with the disinfectant. Forexample, 3, 6, 8, 12, 16 or 24 nozzles can be provided in order to applydisinfectant uniformly from the outside onto the brush. During sprayingthe brush can rotate, preferably not so fast that the entiredisinfectant is centrifuged off directly again as a result of thecentrifugal force. For example, rates of rotation from 30 to 900 rpm andpreferably in the range around 200 rpm are possible.

After the disinfection, rinsing with water followed by centrifuging canbe applied in order to dry the brush. Higher rates of rotation arepossible in this case. In an embodiment the rotation is 700 rpm. Apossible cleaning of the udder is disclosed in German Patent ApplicationDE 295 10 417 U1, to the content of which reference is made hereexplicitly.

After cleaning, the udder can be stimulated with a separate device inorder to initiate milking. The invention can be used both fordisinfection of the cleaning devices as well as for disinfection of astimulation device or of the components that lead the milk away or ofother milking components.

As a rule, the udder is post-treated after milking, by disinfectingand/or treating the udder. The device according to the invention or themethod according to the invention can be provided and adapted both forthe disinfection or such treatment devices. The disinfectant can also beused for post-dipping, that is, for disinfection of the teats aftermilking. When the laws allow, pre-dipping of the teats before milking inthe disinfectant is also possible.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one sensor is provided in all theembodiments described above which measures the pathogen or germ load onor in the component to be disinfected and adjusts the duration ofdisinfection to the actual load. Similarly, the concentration ortemperature of the disinfecting solution can be selected as a functionof the measured result.

A rinsing process which follows the disinfection process in order toremove residues of the disinfectant can also be controlled with respectto time and amount. For example, after rinsing with pure water over apreviously defined time period, the component to be disinfected can bereleased for the next animal. The ending of the subsequent rinsingprocess can also be controlled with the aid of a sensor. For thispurpose, the concentration of the disinfectant itself or of acharacteristic measure for it or of another additive of the disinfectantcan be measured continuously or periodically. After the measured valueis below a predetermined or selectable characteristic value, the rinsingprocess can be ended.

Preferably, the duration of the disinfection or the temperature or thedisinfection or the concentration of the disinfectant is to be adaptedto the health status of the animal (for example, determined through thenumber of cells during the last milking), which was previously incontact with the component to be disinfected.

It is also possible to perform a separate disinfection when a signal isgiven for this by the control. This signal can be given based onexisting individual data of the animal. The decision about a separatedisinfection can also be made as a function of any automatic detectionof the health of the udder. For example, after a milking process, asubsequent disinfection of the milking machine can be initiated by acontrol when the number of cells (or a measure for the guide value forthe milk or the temperature of the milk or the animal or similar) in themilk or in the pre-milk or post-milk exceeds a predetermined value,while if the limiting values are observed, for example, only rinsing orcleaning is performed.

A disinfection signal can also be triggered, for example, when an animalis sick or was sick recently without any concrete measured values beingavailable during the actual milking process.

Data about the state of health can be placed in a memory of the controlduring the milking itself or also independently or these can berecorded. Generation or a disinfection signal can also occur, forexample, when the number of cells is not determined during milking ordirectly afterwards. A disinfection signal can also be outputted basedon other measured parameters. Thus, a disinfection signal can beprovided as a function of the guide value, a measured milk, animal orudder temperature, a determination of the number of organisms carriedout (online) or based on any other measured value.

For example, if the amount of milk measured or the duration of themilking of one quarter or of the entire animal is below a predeterminedvalue (optionally depending on the individual animal) a preventivedisinfection can also be performed, for example, of the milk-conductingparts, since a disease could be the reason for the above. As a result,infection of other animals is avoided.

A control device monitors the milking process. If it is found that themilking machine falls down during the milking process, this is recordedand preferably stored in memory. A teat cup which falls on the groundcan have significantly higher germ load as a result. Therefore, in suchcases the control device can issue a disinfection signal for the milkingmachine or for the particular teat cup or for the correspondingcomponent, so that the corresponding component can be subjected todisinfection or possibly cleaning after the milking in order to keep thegerm load low for the next animal. A teat rubber can be immersed into adisinfectant container for the purposes of disinfection, the containerbeing filled with disinfectant solution or filled with it when needed.

In another embodiment, the device is provided in a milking station orrepresents such. When, for example, an animal to be milked defecates inthe milking station and this is detected through suitable sensors, againa disinfection signal can be issued by the control device. Defecationcan be detected through weight measurement, temperature determination ofthe milking station floor, conductivity measurement on the milkingstation floor or using other methods. If a disinfection signal isissued, the floor is disinfected and optionally cleaned before or at thesame time.

The intensity of the disinfection can be varied in all cases and bedetermined as a function of the actual situation. If it is found that ananimal is infected with an infectious disease, preferably intensedisinfection is performed. This can be achieved by using increased timeof exposure, temperature or concentration, adjusted composition orseveral of the above measures.

The status data necessary for this about the state of health of theanimal can be detected with sensors and can be evaluated by the controldevice. For example, using temperature sensors, guide value sensors, orbased on the total amount or quarter milk milked or based on the totalmilking duration or quarter milking duration, the health status can beestimated. If the probability of disease exceeds a predeterminedmeasure, a disinfection signal is issued. The health status can also beknown, for example, stored in a memory of the control device or of thedevice.

In the case of a cleaning brush, the intensity of disinfection of thiscan be chosen as a function of the result of the previous milkingprocess or previous milking processes. The determination of theintensity (time, temperature, concentration, material selection) of thedisinfection can also be performed as a function of the various sensordata or other parameters, in order to avoid transfer of pathogens ordiseases reliably.

In the disinfection process, a second or even a third disinfectant canbe used as a support in order to accelerate the disinfection process orto improve it. For example, the use of hydrogen peroxide or ozone ispossible. Similarly, UV radiation can be used as support. The additionof a known cleaning agent is also possible.

Separate protection is provided for a device for preparing adisinfectant for milking components. This device has at least onecontainer for storing at least one disinfectant base material and atleast one preparation device, with which from the at least onedisinfectant base material, a disinfectant can be produced by chemicalreaction, the disinfectant preferably containing chlorine dioxide. Atleast one line or discharge device is provided which is suitable tobring the disinfectant preferably in contact with at least one milkingcomponent essentially directly after preparation, in order to disinfectthe device. Embodiments of preferred further developments of thisvariant correspond to the further developments described before in anadapted form.

Furthermore, the applicant reserves the right to claim a milking devicewhich includes a device for disinfection of at least one milkingcomponent. Here at least one container is provided for storing at leastone disinfectant base material. At least one preparation device isprovided with which a disinfectant can be prepared by chemical reactionfrom at least one disinfectant base material. Furthermore, at least onedischarge or line device is provided with which the disinfectant can bebrought into contact with at least one milking component, preferablyessentially directly after preparation, in order to disinfect themilking component. Preferably at least one disinfectant containschlorine dioxide. A protection for system or installations which includea milking device and/or a milking plant and/or a milking station and/orat least one milking component is also claimed. The milking componentcan be one mentioned in this application.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention are nowexplained with reference to the figures.

These show the following:

FIG. 1 is an udder-cleaning device as a first practical example, and

FIG. 2 is a milking device as a second practical example.

The present invention will be explained below with the aid of a firstpractical example of a cleaning device for cleaning the udder incombination with FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a milkingstation.

The practical example shown in FIG. 1 is a cleaning station of a milkingstation as it is known, for example, from DE-U-295 10 417. This milkingstation has several animals to be milked in the direction of movement,in this case cows, in boxes arranged one behind the other. The cleaningstation is in the first box. In the following boxes in each case amilking machine is attached onto a cow to be milked.

The practical example shows a cleaning station for cleaning the udder ofan animal where the cleaning station can be disinfected. Similarly,according to the invention, a different treatment device fordisinfection can be provided. Especially, simulation, disinfection andpost-treatment devices for treatment and/or disinfection can be realizedaccording to the invention.

At this point let us emphasize again that preferably the entire milkinginstallation is disinfected by the method according to the invention.Known methods can be used for this, as they are customary in the stateof the art. For example, the cleaning can be performed using a batchmethod. Similarly, various cleaning and disinfection processes can occurone after the other, where the disinfectant used in the individualprocesses is collected and reused. For this purpose, the disinfectantcan be reinforced. Similarly, the temperature or the residence time ofthe disinfection can be chosen as it is known in the state of the art.

Therefore, fundamentally, during disinfection the same steps arepossible as they are described in German Patent Application DE 195 41646 A1. Even more preferably, the process steps are carried out inanother embodiment similarly to the steps disclosed in WO 00/067561 A1where in both cases the disinfectant preferably contains chlorinedioxide.

In the practical example shown, the cleaning station is arotatably-driven brush 2 at the free end of a carrier 4 of the cleaningdevice, attached rotatably. Carrier 4 is supported in a first guide 6 soit can be shifted longitudinally. This first guide 6 is moved again in asecond guide 8, transverse to the guide direction of the first guide 6,this second guide 8 running along the fixed tracks 10.

As a result of this design, brush 2 can be moved in an orthogonalcoordinate system where the first guide 6 permits movement in theX-direction and the second guide 8 permits movement in the Y-direction,where the plane determined by the X-direction and Y-direction liesessentially parallel to the ground. Moreover, by swiveling carrier 4 oras a result of a linear shift from the plane drawn, brush 2 can also bemoved in the Z-direction.

Guides 6, 8 as well as tracks 10 are in an engineering space 12, whichis separated from a passage 16 for the cows by a screen 14. A box 20that holds the cows in the cleaning station has further screens 22 atits front and back sides, and on its longitudinal side, that faces theengineering space 12, it has two automatically controlled inlet andoutlet doors 24, 26 which are supported so that they can swivel.

In box 20, six footprints of a cow to be milked are shown schematically.These are the front claws 28 of a large and a small animal, as well asthe back claws 30 a of a small animal and 30 b of a large animal.

An animal to be milked located in the passage 16 enters through the openinlet door 24 first of all into box 20. The inlet door 24 closesautomatically. Independently of the size of the animal then the brushwhich is at first in the starting position within the engineering space12 moves through the barrier grid 12 [sic, should be 14] into box 20 inthe X-direction until it reached its end position with respect to theX-coordinate.

As soon as the cleaning position for cleaning the udder of the cowregarding the X-coordinate is reached, a carrier 4 moves together withbrush 2 along the longitudinal extension of tracks 10 in the Y-directionuntil the cleaning position with respect to the Y-direction coordinateand thus the end position is reached. This can be variable anddetermined, for example, by a device which is known from DE-A-199 01 241for rough positioning of the milking machine below the udder of a cow.

The first and second guides 6, 8 shown in the practical exampleaccording to FIG. 1 are the conventional groove guides. The drive isalways provided through a drive motor which is not shown here, the drivewheel of which acts on the carrier 2 [sic, number 2 was used todesignate “brush before”] and on the other hand on tracks 10. The torqueof the particular motors is monitored. The corresponding signal is sentto an evaluation device which is not shown here.

If the brush 2 bumps during the process from the initial position intothe end position, for example, into the leg of a cow standing in box 20,then the torque of the drive motor immediately increases greatly, whichis recognized by the evaluation device. Then this acts on the particulardrive motor in such a way that the motor stops and optionally it isdriven in the opposite direction.

After completion of the cleaning of the udder, the brush returns to theinitial position and is disinfected with a disinfectant before the udderof the next animal is cleaned. The disinfectant contains chlorinedioxide which can be stored only to a limited extent and must not betransported from one place to another. Therefore, the disinfectant isprepared on location as needed, by dissolving the disinfectant basematerials simultaneously in water. For this purpose, for example, alkaliand/or alkaline-earth chlorite and a mixture of caroate and alkalichloride are suitable. It is also possible to dissolve the alkali-and/or alkaline-earth chlorite and alkaline metal peroxydisulfate inwater. The preparation can also proceed by dissolving alkali- oralkaline-earth chlorite and iron or aluminum salt in water or alsoalkaline-earth chlorite. Regarding the preparation, reference is made,for example, to DE 195 18 464 A1 and there to Column 1, Line 1 to Column6, Line 47, and especially to Column 1, line 54 to Column 5, Line 14.The disinfectant is introduced to the central axle of the brush and isdistributed over the entire brush through small holes so that reliabledisinfection follows. Then it is rinsed with clean water in order torinse out the disinfectant and then the brush is rotated to dry.

If the udder-cleaning brush after the cleaning the udder is highlycontaminated, cleaning of the brush is appropriate. The cleaning can bedone by the use of cleaning agents, for example, those which dissolvethe adhering dirt or at least facilitate this. In order to support thecleaning action, for example, mechanical action on the brush ispossible. At the same time or subsequently, the disinfectant can beadded which will result in a significant reduction of the number ofgerms.

FIG. 2 shows a milking device 40 according to the invention. The milkingdevice has teat cups or milking cups 41 which are connected to aconnecting piece 43 through a short milk tube 42. The exit of connectingpiece 43 is connected to a milk line 47 through a milk tube 44.

For disinfection, a processing device in the form of a reactor 60 isprovided. Reactor 60 is connected to at least one container 61 whichcontains a disinfectant base material. In the example shown here, four(different) disinfectant base materials can be used from containers 61,62, 63, and 64 in order to prepare the disinfectant used fordisinfection from these by chemical reaction. The control of theinstallation and of the essential components is done through a controldevice 66 which is designed here as a computer.

The water for the aqueous solution of the disinfectant is taken from thewater line 53 through line 52. A tempering station 51 serves to heat thewater.

An intermediate storage 67 is provided to store the completeddisinfectant (in the meantime). Therefore the production of the chlorinedioxide solution in the example shown can be done continuously or over along period at a relatively low level in order to be able to cover thepeak demand simply. If needed, the production can be increased.

From the intermediate storage 67, the disinfectant goes through a line65 to the milk tube 44. A locking and guide unit 45 is provided at theinlet. It is possible here to guide the disinfectant solution to themilk collecting piece 43 and to the teat cups or only (or alsosimultaneously) through the milk tube 44 to the milk line 47.

Especially, the teat cups can be subjected to rinsing the entire head byimmersing them, for example, into the disinfectant container 68 orconnecting it to it.

The sequence in FIG. 2 is only an example. Any other line connectionsand disinfectant paths can be used for disinfection (and cleaning) asthey are known in the state of the art.

REFERENCE LIST

-   2 Brush-   4 Carrier-   6 First guide-   8 Second guide-   10 Tracks-   12 Engineering space-   14 Barrier grid-   16 Passage-   20 Box-   22 Grid-   24 Inlet door-   26 Exit door-   28 Front pair of claws-   30 a Back pair of claws, small animal-   30 b Back pair of claws, large animal-   40 Milking device-   41 Teat cup-   42 Short milk tube-   43 Milk collecting piece-   44 Milk tube-   45 Locking and guide unit-   47 Milk line-   51 Tempering station-   52 Line-   53 Water line-   60 Reactor-   61 Container-   62 Container-   63 Container-   64 Container-   65 Line system-   66 Control system-   67 Intermediate storage-   68 Disinfectant container

1. A device for disinfection of a milking component with at least one container for storing at least one disinfectant base material; at least one processing device with which, from at least one disinfectant base material, a disinfectant which contains chlorine dioxide can be prepared by chemical reaction; at least one guiding element with which the disinfectant can be brought into contact with at least one milking component essentially directly after preparation, in order to disinfect the milking component.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the milking component to be disinfected is a component which comes into direct contact with at least one part of the udder of the animal to be milked, during milking.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the milking component to be disinfected is taken from a group of components consisting of: teat cups, udder- and teat-cleaning equipment, pre- and post-dipping devices and similar others.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a disinfectant container is provided into which at least one milking component can be immersed, in order to make disinfection possible, essentially on all sides.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the milking component to be disinfected is a component which comes into contact with the milk of a milked animal.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the milking component is taken from a group of components consisting of: teat rubber, teat cup, milk collecting components, milk lines, milk tubes, milk flowmeter, sensors for the determination of milk quality and flock and blood detectors, receiving containers, milk pumps, milk tanks and similar others.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the disinfectant can be circulated in a closed circuit.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the milking component to be disinfected is a component which comes into contact with an animal, whereby the component is taken from a group of components, consisting of: animal watering troughs, as well as water lines to the animal troughs, feed troughs and calf drinking troughs and calf nipples, resting quarters, milking stations and milking robots.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is suitable for the milking of an animal and it includes at least one milk line, at least one vacuum line and at least one milking machine.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the disinfectant can be sprayed into the ambient air.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein a control device is provided with which a disinfecting process can be controlled.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein using the control device the intensity of disinfection can be controlled via at least one parameter.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is chosen from a group of parameters consisting of: an action time of the disinfectant and a temperature of the disinfectant and a concentration of the disinfectant and a composition of the disinfectant.
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control device emits a disinfection signal when a predetermined limiting value is reached.
 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined limiting value is selected from the group consisting of: the number of milkings; the number of teat cleanings; a predetermined time has elapsed; and combinations thereof.
 16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the control device emits a disinfection signal when an animal for which the possibility of disease exceeds a predetermined degree was milked or treated.
 17. The device according to at least one of the previous claims 14, wherein a disinfection process is performed when the control device emits a disinfection signal.
 18. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one disinfectant base material contains includes sodium chlorite or sodium chlorate.
 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one disinfectant base material is an essentially dry solid.
 20. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one disinfectant base material is in the powder form.
 21. The device according to claim 1, wherein a first disinfectant base material and at least one second disinfectant base material is provided for the preparation of the disinfectant.
 22. The device according to claim 1, and further comprising a second disinfectant base material stored separately from the first disinfectant base material prior to being mixed in the processing device.
 23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first disinfectant base material is in the tablet form.
 24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the first disinfectant base material and the second disinfectant base material produce the disinfectant by chemical reaction.
 25. A method for the disinfection of a milking component, comprising the step of: producing a disinfectant by chemical reaction with a disinfectant base material, the disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide, and disinfecting the milking component with the disinfectant.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein an exposure time and/or a temperature and/or a concentration is controlled.
 27. The method according to claim 25, and further comprising the step of: discharging the disinfectant after the milking component is disinfected.
 28. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one disinfectant base material includes sodium chlorate. 